Laura McAtackney
@lauramca.bsky.social
Irish Academic, archaeologist, heritage, memory, creative at UC Cork. Interest in post/conflict and post/colonial contexts inc fieldwork in Ireland and Caribbean.
History
22%
Political science
20%
Non-partitionist (and pro-Donegal) challenge for RTE : not geographically situating stories in mid-Sligo as ‘the North West’. ffs.
Ireland has a rich archaeological heritage and i think it’s fair to say the emphasis of the funding bodies have been primarily in other areas of interest than lithics; especially those areas more entangled with the solidifying of a postcolonial identity.
Yes, i noticed the series and ive not searched too much further but its not the only slightly mysteriously funded, unionist-leaning ‘discussion’ series currently existing in Ireland.
Hi! My department (at UC Cork) doesn’t have anyone working on lithics as we only have one prehistorian atm (who works on later prehistory) but we are actively employing a new prehistorian so watch this space!
I have to laugh at the frequently stated idea that nationalists are embarking on rewriting history when we all see are that completely made up versions of the Troubles where the Brits did not wrong! As if quite a lot of this hadn’t already come out already, and we didn’t live through it?!
Oh yes, i’ve lost run of my days! Looking after a sick relative they are all running into each other!
Would it be a sunday morning without the Irish Times doing a puff piece on how great the Brits were in the North? Today we have ex-SAS saying they did nothing illegal, talking about govt betrayal. Oh the mirth, the numerous books, interviews, dogs on the streets etc were all imagining it!
Weeks or months! Too busy trying to find ‘witty’ ways to mispronounce gaelige words.
They should know by now but willful ignorance!
People like Gregory can’t help himself, he’s always been disrespectful about the Irish language and a woman president would probably irk him even more. Good :)
For the DUP, it’s been like this since i was a teenager, many years ago! Fear of change and the need to control, the target just keeps changing.
Ofc there are but there is also no all-encompassing ‘history’ of the North. There are multiple, competing and sometimes contradictory ways to know, construct and write ‘a history’ of the North. It can’t and shouldn’t be reduced down to one perspective.
‘You’re in our country’ DUP’s Gregory Campbell tells Irish president during Derry visit
Catherine Connolly told the DUP MP she is ‘here to listen’ adding, ‘at the end of the day we’re human beings and we have to have respect’.
www.irishnews.com
The DUP (& some unionist historians) are continually claiming that the past is being ‘rewritten’. It is revealing of their world view about what the past was, their desire to control it, & a desperation that they can’t. Acknowledging multiple pasts is our only way! www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
Everything confirmed about the creator of Derry Girls' new Netflix series
One of Netflix’s most highly anticipated shows of the year from the creator of Derry Girls is arriving in just a few days
www.belfastlive.co.uk
Really looking forward to ‘How to get to heaven from Belfast’ (and how fabulous does the amazing Lisa McGee look at the premiere?). I’ve saw the trailer, looked up the cast, and I might have to lower my expectations for the Belfeirstan accents, but bring it on! www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/tv/how-...
'Languages should never divide us,' says President
President Catherine Connolly has said "languages should never divide us" while on an official three-day visit to Northern Ireland.
www.rte.ie
Very pleased by President Connolly’s first official visit up North. She has set a significant tonal change in recognizing difference - be that experiences of the past, identity or aspirations for the future - which is much needed if reconciliation can be achieved. GRMMA! www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
At least it is something but the original legacy bill was horrendously misjudged and clearly was created to protect the state and its forces. Imho the legislation should have been scrapped and the process started again.
And that the past will always be open to rewriting as we learn more, allow more files to be opened, reflect
on different angles of experiences. The past is never set and closed to reinterpretation and that can’t be closed by Unionist MPs or the British archives.
on different angles of experiences. The past is never set and closed to reinterpretation and that can’t be closed by Unionist MPs or the British archives.
I can’t help reflecting on some unionist fears of ‘rewriting’ the past when what they can’t see there are multiple versions of the past and ppl should be allowed to say out loud a British / Unionist version of the Troubles wasn’t the one CNR communities experienced.
And while only 106 (!) MPs voted against the immunity bill being removed, we still have to wait and see what the ‘Lords’ does. And an official history project, being led by the NIO, will tick along in the shadows while state archives extend closures on files related to state-perpetrated death.
Reposted by Diane Marie Amann
MPs vote to delete Troubles legislation immunity clause
MPs in London have voted to delete a controversial immunity clause from the current Troubles legacy legislation in Northern Ireland.
www.rte.ie
On the anniversary of Bloody Sunday i can’t help but reflect on how we are beholden to a bicameral parliament based in London, with NI reps a tiny minority, and hoping they’ll take out some of the most egregious clauses as they continue to impose a legacy bill. www.rte.ie/news/ulster/...
Professor of Cultural and Natural Heritage at Durham University
An opportunity for an academic position as a Professor of Cultural and Natural Heritage is available, as advertised on jobs.ac.uk. Apply now and explore other academic job openings.
www.jobs.ac.uk
Fantastic job at Durham - Professor in Cultural and Natural Heritage - I’m sure this will be an amazing role for the right person! www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQE313/p...
Educational background key indicator of immigration views in UK, study finds
Research comparing UK and US finds people with fewer qualifications more likely to support rightwing movements
www.theguardian.com
Not surprised: the key indicator for far right support is education level. IME, uni students are extremely receptive to courses exploring politics of the past / misuse of the past by Far Right. It’s the reason for FR ‘culture wars’ targeting arts / humanities. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
I’m glad you had a nice end to it, it’s lovely to have precise points when you can see optimism return!
Thanks, it took me a v long time to realize that it’s a v different culture in many ways. No emotion allowed, just get on with your job.
thanks lovely, it is what it is xx
I am trying to build more of those, i’ve been disengaging with a lot of less helpful sites. One day i’ll get there!
I’m sorry, it’s hard when people have had lovely times that are nice for them to look back on but not so for us. After losses like that i just don’t ever think of any periods of time in that kind of ‘good old days’ kind of way.
Thanks, it’s just how i remember that specific year as his sickness and death kind of toped and tailed it. Working in Danish academic made it so much worse as death and grief is ignored so i was expected to just get on with work.
You’re lucky i’ve seen it everywhere, I’m not sure what prompted it but 2016 seemed to be a year, apparently (also a very specific make up look!). It’s similar to facebook time hop, like everyone wants to see pictures of their past lives when they can be v triggering for some!
All i remember was trying to adjust to a new academic system, having tonnes of teaching because new hires negotiated delayed starts and i was left to carry it, and flying home every month to help with my dad. Virtually no one at uni tried to help, offered sympathy or even acknowledged his death.